Community turns out to support suspended North Wales police chief

NORTH WALES — Three borough residents, three business owners and the director of special events for the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association spoke in favor of suspended police Chief Barry Hackert during Tuesday’s public meeting.

“I hope nothing untoward happens to Barry Hackert,” resident Donna Mengel said during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Hackert has touched everybody’s life in the borough, according to one woman who told council she lives near borough hall.

The police chief was suspended earlier this month, though borough officials declined to comment on the nature of that suspension.

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In December, Hackert reportedly struck the head of security at a resort in the Poconos on Dec. 30 2012, according to Matthew Kuzma, chief of the Kidder Township Police Department.

He said police responded to the Split Rock Resort on Dec. 30 after the incident.

Criminal charges will not be filed against Hackert because the employee Hackert is accused of striking did not wish to pursue them, according to an email message from Kuzma.

Two weeks ago, borough council invited Hackert and his legal representative to appear before council in an executive session Jan. 8. He did not attend that executive session.

Christine Hart, the vice president of borough council, previously declined to comment on the incident or what led to Hackert’s suspension.

After Tuesday’s public meeting, borough council went into executive session where Hackert would be discussed, according to Solicitor Greg Gifford.

Hackert was in the meeting room after the public session was adjourned. This was the same room where they held the executive session.

Council took no action after the executive session, according to borough Manager Nate Dysard.

During the public meeting, Richard Tibberino told council that Hackert’s intervention helped his son find an apartment and a job.

“It’s all thanks to Barry,” said Tibberino, the president of Idm Consulting Inc., located at 412 Elm St.

Another business owner called Hackert an excellent police chief.

“When I have a problem, I can count on Barry to handle it,” he said. “He’s very thorough.”

Addressing an overflow audience, council President Mike McDonald said everyone on council had a tremendous respect for Hackert’s number of years of service to the borough.

“He deserves your respect,” McDonald said during the meeting.

Mengel said she supports the entire police department and Mayor Doug Ross.

“Barry has become my friend and a very good chief over his 21 years of service,” Mengel said.

Carol DeLancey, the WVWA’s director of special events, lauded Hacker’s efforts in support of the annual Tex-Mex 5K race in the borough.

“He has become an integral part of the event,” DeLancey said.

Mengel and resident Herb Thomas said the council should avoid any actions that might lead to a lawsuit.

Thomas said the borough’s involvement in several suits has cost it significant dollars.

“I can see this setting up another lawsuit, which will likely cost us money galore,” Thomas said. “North Wales has been in several suits, and we haven’t won one yet.”

Thomas also suggested that no action be taken against Hackert since he did not violate a letter of condition for his return, crafted four years ago, following a six-month administrative leave.

According to Thomas, since the chief did not violate the terms of the letter — which included forbidding him from “violate any local, state or federal statutes in the future,” — and no charges were filed, council should not pursue this issue further.

“It seems to me this government has gotten into the personal lives of its citizens and its employees,” Thomas said. “Council should stick to governing the borough.”

Follow Bradley Schlegel on Twitter @BSchlegel1027.

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